Test Results

Well, we took Kiddo's end of the year test in yesterday to be graded and I am PROUD to say, his overall composite score was. . . . . .(drum roll please). . . . . . 89.

WOO HOO! WAY TO GO, KIDDO!
You did a GREAT JOB!

He scored average in one section of L/A and one in Math, but the rest of his L/A and Math he scored above average in. Oh, and I also found out that they do use the same test for grades 9 & 10, (that's why it was familiar to us) and then the same test for grades 11 & 12. I'm not sure I agree with that, but what can ya do?

Now it's time to get things in order for this coming school year. I have been looking and I'm not sure what we'll use. We've been using an eclectic mix and have tried different methods. Just not sure which we like better yet. Oh, well....we'll keep looking.

Testing

"Lord, help me to remember You are everything I need. Show me again how to claim Your strength to homeschool and sense Your encouragement every day. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

Today we are finishing up our end of year testing. (I know, I have procrastinated - see post HERE) Our "Proof of Progress" testing has to be submitted by August 1st and our NOI (Notice of Intent) by August 15th, to that will be done next week.

While we have been testing, both Kiddo and I noticed something. At first I thought maybe a question or two was the same, which is common, but when we got to the comprehension part of the L/A section, we both went....THIS IS THE SAME TEST! So I went back to my order sheet to check, and I indeed do have the 10th grade test which is level 19. What I am wondering now is if last year we received the wrong test. I will definitely find out tomorrow when I take his test to be graded. If by some chance we do have the wrong one, we will have tomorrow afternoon and Friday morning to complete a new one. Pray that we do have the RIGHT ONE!

I have also been looking for a curriculum for 11th grade. I'm not sure what I am going to use yet. There are so many different styles and curriculum to choose from that it boggles my mind. I am praying that God will give me wisdom and guide me in the right direction we should go.

Well, off to transpose his answers and fill in aaaaaalllllll those little bubbles! lol

Blessings~
Laura

Home Made Fabric Softener.....You CAN Make It!!!

Good morning, all! This entry is the companion post to home made laundry detergent..........Home made fabric softener. I have tried different recipes and I feel they all work about the same, so it will just be a matter of personal choice. Jen over at MayTheyBeMightyMen has posted one as well. Please go take a look and see which recipe she has. While you're there, if you happen to have any "frugal living" tips you would like to share, please feel free to do so.
Frugal living is a subject I think we can all help each other with. I was even contemplating having Frugal Friday and posting time/money saving tips for all to share. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.
This is the recipe that I have used. Sorry there are no pictures this time! : > (

Home Made Fabric Softener

6 cups water

3 cups distilled white vinegar (this is what makes your clothes soft)

2 cups hair conditioner ( yes, that's right......hair conditioner)

I used an old plastic milk jug for this but you can use whatever you wish. I measured out 6 cups of warm water and put that into my milk jug. I then measured out 3 cups of vinegar into a glass my glass measuring cup, added my 2 cups of conditioner (I used one with a lavendar scent) and stirred them together making the conditioner easier to pour into the milk jug. Now shake. You will get some sudsing on the top, but that is ok. Just shake before each use. This WILL have a vinegar smell to it but don't worry, your clothes won't smell like it. I have added more water and less vinegar sometimes depending on the strength of the scent of the conditioner I use, because I have always HATED the smell of vinegar!!! And to think we use it in soooo many home made cleaning items. Go figure!

How do I use my fabric softener? I fill up an old pump detergent bottle, and I also use a spray bottle. It depends on the mood that I am in and whichever is closest to grab, but I do prefer the spray as it is easier to handle. I then take a wet wash cloth (which I normally have in the wash any way because I am FOREVER washing them) and I either squirt a little bit of softener on the cloth, or three pumps of the spray (this is called a re-usable dryer sheet). Then, if I am drying the load completely, I just toss it in the dryer and PRESTO......no static cling and my clothes smell fresh. If I am hanging them up/out like I normally do, I put the fabric softener in the rinse cycle, (I prefer to put it in the wash when I add my detergent so I won't forget it....hmmm....me forget something? lolol) and dry them in the dryer for 5 minutes before hanging them up to get the wrinkles out.
Well, there you have it........Home made fabric softener. See, you CAN make it!! Do you have a different recipe that you would like to share with us? Please feel free to do so. And if you try this recipe..........PLEASE Let me know what you think!! I really like it!!


P.S. I have heard about wadding up three balls of aluminum foil and putting them in your dryer to eliminate static cling. I have not used it, but I am willing to give it a try. Now I will REALLY have a hard time keeping Kitty out of the dryer! R O F L O L !!

30 Day Bible Reading Challenge

Did you know that if you do something faitfully for 18 days it becomes a habit? What greater habit to have than to be a faithful reader of The Holy Scriptures!

Good morning! Leah over at friends4tea is having a 30 Day Bible Reading Challenge. It started on April 1st and will run till the end of the month. But don't fret, it is not too late to join this wonderful group of women who have come together to make a commitment to read the Word of God faithfully everyday. My heart has been touched by the outpouring of encouragement that I have seen not only in blog comments, but on the Nooks of many at The Homeschool Lounge as well.

This is such a great challenge. Kiddo and I do devotions together in the morning before we start our day. However, I need more time on my own to read the word of God, but something always seems to get in the way. This challenge came just at the right time for me.....it is the "nudge" i truly needed to get myself motivated to MAKE time for the Gospel!



I have been reading from Revelations. My DH being the jokester that he is said, "Would you like me to tell you how the book ends?" (ha ha) What a guy!

I have gotten from reading this book is that it is a loving, personal message from God. He wants His Word to affect our lives in the here and now. He wants His Word to help us grow closer to Him. He wants His Word to challenge us to more lovingly serve our brothers and sisters.



I pray that we will all have the strength and determination to continue reading the word of God, not only throughout the month of April, but that it becomes a "habit"....a part of our everyday lives!



As for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. 2 Chronicles 15:7

Autism Awareness

April 2 is World Autism Day!

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. One should keep in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees - this is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention programs.

Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development.”



The five disorders under PDD are:



Autistic Disorder

Asperger's Syndrome (My son falls under this category)

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)

Rett's Disorder

PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)



Asperger's Syndrome/Disorder



Asperger's Disorder was first described in the 1940s by Viennese pediatrician Hans Asperger who observed autistic-like behaviors and difficulties with social and communication skills in boys who had normal intelligence and language development. Many professionals felt Asperger's Disorder was simply a milder form of autism and used the term "high-functioning autism" to describe these individuals. Professor Uta Frith, with the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience of University College London and author of Autism and Asperger Syndrome, describes individuals with Asperger's Disorder as "having a dash of Autism." Asperger's Disorder was added to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) in 1994 as a separate disorder from autism. However, there are still many professionals who consider Asperger's Disorder a less severe form of autism.



What distinguishes Asperger's Disorder from autism is the severity of the symptoms and the absence of language delays. Children with Asperger's Disorder may be only mildly affected and frequently have good language and cognitive skills. To the untrained observer, a child with Asperger's Disorder may just seem like a normal child behaving differently.



Children with autism are frequently seen as aloof and uninterested in others. This is not the case with Asperger's Disorder. Individuals with Asperger's Disorder usually want to fit in and have interaction with others; they simply don't know how to do it. They may be socially awkward, not understanding of conventional social rules, or may show a lack of empathy. They may have limited eye contact, seem to be unengaged in a conversation, and not understand the use of gestures.



Interests in a particular subject may border on the obsessive. Children with Asperger's Disorder frequently like to collect categories of things, such as rocks or bottle caps. They may be proficient in knowing categories of information, such as baseball statistics or Latin names of flowers. While they may have good rote memory skills, they have difficulty with abstract concepts.



One of the major differences between Asperger's Disorder and autism is that, by definition, there is no speech delay in Asperger's. In fact, children with Asperger's Disorder frequently have good language skills; they simply use language in different ways. Speech patterns may be unusual, lack inflection or have a rhythmic nature or it may be formal, but too loud or high pitched. Children with Asperger's Disorder may not understand the subtleties of language, such as irony and humor, or they may not understand the give and take nature of a conversation.



Another distinction between Asperger's Disorder and autism concerns cognitive ability. While some individuals with Autism experience mental retardation, by definition a person with Asperger's Disorder cannot possess a "clinically significant" cognitive delay and most possess an average to above average intelligence.



While motor difficulties are not a specific criteria for Asperger's, children with Asperger's Disorder frequently have motor skill delays and may appear clumsy or awkward.



Living With Autism



The demands of raising a child with autism are great, and families frequently experience high levels of stress. Recognizing and preparing yourself for the challenges that are in store will make a tremendous difference to all involved, including the parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family, and friends.



The uniqueness of each individual with autism makes the experience of raising a child with autism different for each family. But there are some consistent themes or issues that most families will want to be aware to be able to provide the best support to the individual and to family members.



The ASA has developed in-depth information on a variety of topics related to living with autism. The information below is by no means exhaustive, but it should help to equip families with some of the basic tools they may need to successfully raise a child with autism.



Autism Society of America

2008

ROFLOL!

I was talking with my friend, Bobbi today, and she said that my post about Kiddo's salsa garden really made her laugh. That made me think of another time he came out with a really good one. My son is a plethera of comedic on-liners.

Ok, so one night we were sitting at the table eating dinner, talking about what had gone on during our day (no, not with our mouths full....wait a minute.....uh, yes, they probably were). Bean was talking about something that was of interest to her and in a nice, soft, quiet manner, when all of a sudden she started raising her voice and was getting very annoyed. Kiddo, without missing a beat looks up at her and blurts out.....................................................

"SOMEONE'S HAVING MOOD SWINGS!"

Kids............you gotta love em'!

Please Pray With Me

Please pray for my ex-brother in-law, WL. My sister called and they had to have the Fire Department do an emergency break-in at his home where they found him on the floor unconscious. He is diabetic and has had a couple of strokes before this. She has called him everyday, but there has been no answer. The last time she spoke with him was on Easter Sunday. At this point they don't know how long he had been that way.

Please pray for WL, his family, and my sister and her family. May God give them the strength and the peace they need to get through this difficult time. I pray that God will lay his healing hand upon WL. We know that whatever the outcome, it is God's will and he will be glorified and uplifted!